I’ve never worked with wood before. Where should I start?

If you’re new to woodworking or carpentry, we recommend starting with one of our 6-week Furniture Basics courses, where an instructor will guide you through every step of the process.

Our Furniture Basics series includes two beginner-friendly courses:

• The Table — build a small table while learning foundational woodworking skills

• Cabinetry — create a small wall-mounted cabinet while learning tool use and joinery

Both courses are designed for absolute beginners. You’ll learn how to safely use machines and tools, and leave with a finished piece of furniture you built yourself.

If you’re looking for a smaller commitment, we also offer beginner workshops like our Sculptural Mobiles class, a 3-hour session focused on creative design and basic woodworking techniques.

Do you offer intermediate or advanced classes?

Not at the moment, but our instructors are highly skilled professional woodworkers who can support you in tackling a more complex version of the projects in our Furniture Basics courses.

We are always exploring ways to expand our programming as our community grows. And starting 2026 we will have more intermediate and advanced programming available.

What’s included in a Woodworking Essential Membership?

Woodworking Essential Members have studio access during drop-in hours:

• Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00 – 9:00 pm

• Weekends from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

During these times, you can use our machines, tools, and shared workspaces. We also have a small collection of hand tools available for communal use.

What if I need more access than that?

If you’re looking for more time in the studio, take a look at our Emerging Artist or Full-Time memberships. These tiers include:

• 24/7 access (both)

• Dedicated workspace (Full-Time)

• Materials storage (both)

These memberships are a great option if you’re working on larger or ongoing projects and need flexible access to the studio.

Can I bring my own tools?

You’re welcome to bring your own hand tools into the studio. Machinery and power tools are subject to approval. You are fully responsible for their care and safekeeping while they’re on site. HCS cannot provide any financial or material compensation if personal tools are lost or damaged.

I want to start woodworking but I don’t know anything about the machines.

That’s exactly why we’re here. We recommend taking a Furniture Basics course first, to get comfortable with the tools and processes in a supportive, guided environment.

If you decide to become a member after your course, we will provide you with mandatory safety training before you’re granted access to the woodshop.

Have more questions?

We’re happy to help. Reach out to us at hello@hamiltoncraftstudios.com